Delayed Eton College project should be scrapped

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has argued for the Eton Star sixth form college project in Oldham Town Centre to be scrapped.  The new sixth form was to be built the site vacated by Tommyfield Market and was much touted by the Council’s Labour Leader.  But the government put the scheme on ice earlier this year and the National Education Union argued that the college was not in the interest of young people in Oldham.

Councillor Sykes said, “From the start, we have said that this project with Eton College is the wrong fit for Oldham.  To be honest, I think it’s got more to do with Eton protecting their charity status than what’s in the interest of young people in our Borough.  Liberal Democrats believe the project should be scrapped.  We can do something much better and wanted with the former Tommyfield Market site.”

Oldham Council’s Leadership has claimed that Eton Star Oldham will “bring the best educational opportunities to Oldham”.  But the Liberal Democrats say the project is a distraction which will only help students who are already performing well.

“The gap that we should be addressing in post-16 education is the lack of high-quality apprenticeships and vocational courses.  These are the pathways that help people into a trade and offer a route for young people who might otherwise leave education”, said councillor Sykes. 

Sykes and the Liberal Democrats argue that the central location of the market site earmarked for the college could be put to better use as a leisure or hospitality space, but they say that residents of Oldham should be given a choice.

Councillor Sykes said, “People know best, not politicians.  The Council should be much more ambitious with a location like this.  There are several options that could be put out for the public to decide on.  What a refreshing change that would be.”